The Portugal chapters of UPF and WFWP sent a delegation representing Europe to the first Latin America Summit 2018 organized by the Universal Peace Federation in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 2-5, 2018. Held at the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel, the event gathered 400 participants including former heads of state and first ladies from six Latin American nations; parliamentarians and party leaders; religious leaders from various confessions and denominations, including Roman Catholic Cardinal Kelvin Felix from Dominica and Saint Lucia; etc.
The Summit featured presentations on current projects developed by UPF and affiliate organizations throughout the world, such as the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), the Peace Road project, character education programs, etc.
UPF chairman Dr Thomas Walsh spoke about the vision underlying UPF activities in our changing world: “In many ways we are witnessing the emergence of a new global paradigm, he said…a shift from an Atlantic-centered world to an Asia Pacific world…from a Northern-centered world to an emerging Southern hemisphere… Rev. and Mrs. Moon anticipated these changes and understood that it is essential for these changes to occur peacefully. The principles they have taught underscore the need for dialogue, understanding, mutual respect and cooperation. These are the principles that underlie the work of UPF.” (Click here for the complete text of Dr Walsh’s speech.)
Introduced by H.E. Julio Maria Sanguinetti, the former president of Uruguay, UPF Co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon told the assembly about her vision for the future of the American continent, the need for cooperation between South and North America. She encouraged religious leaders to acknowledge both the accomplishments and failings in Christian history and ended with a call for women and mothers to take the lead in peace-making today.
On August 4, the participants were invited as guests of honor to a “Rally of Hope for Latin America” attended by 30,000 participants at the Stadium Allianz Parque, where Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon also addressed the crowd.
The Portuguese delegation, led by UPF Portugal President Dr. Sérgio Vieira, included Prof. Delmar Gonçalves, a writer from the Mozambican Writers Circle in the Diaspora (CEMD) and UPF Ambassador for Peace; Dr. Isabel Leitão, a well-known singer, coordinator for cultural activities at the Business Confederation of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CE-CPLP); and Dr. Gonçalo Terenas, Chair of the Africa Cluster Group, a multisectoral Luso-African consortium.
Each of the delegates testified to the scope of the meeting that gathered high level leaders from all over Latin America and expressed their intention to cooperate with UPF in their various fields of activities.
For more information on the Latin America Summit see the UPF International website.